Blues' Deal Ends Rumors Duchesne Headed To Hawks

ST. LOUIS — The Blackhawks and several other National Hockey League teams have been vying for Quebec holdout defenseman Steve Duchesne for months. The St. Louis Blues won the lottery Sunday.

The Blues traded veterans Garth Butcher, Ron Sutter and former Hawk Bob Bassen to Quebec for Duchesne and the rights to Denis Chasse, a right wing with Cornwall in the American Hockey League.

Duchesne, in the option year of his contract with Quebec, spent the first half of the season as a holdout when the Nordiques wouldn't meet his $1.2 million salary demand.

"Steve Duchesne will provide the Blues with puck control from our defensive end and will provide more offense in the attacking zone," Blues General Manager Ron Caron said.

Last Sunday, Quebec General Manager Pierre Page raised speculation of a deal with the Blackhawks when he attended their game against the New York Rangers at the Stadium. Page was reportedly shopping for a defenseman and role players. Instead, he found them in St. Louis.